Voluntary redundancy offer
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Discussion

a311

Original Poster:

6,393 posts

206 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
Evening all,

I've worked in the same company all my life ~10 years. It was announced last week that voluntary redundancy was being rolled out to lower the head count. This has happened once before however this time they have stated if they don't get required numbers they will need to move to compulsory.

I enjoy my job but have been becoming disillusioned with the company for a while, generally expecting to give more responsibility to me without any financial reward. I'd have never thought of leaving what has been a secure well paid job with good benefits.

I asked for a quote and it's 16 months salary equivalent with the first 30K tax free.

I'm not really expecting my application to be accepted if I do but you never know. I'm going to phone up a few recruitment agencies next week to test the water.

I'm a chartered engineer with 10 years experience (nuclear) could do Project/Engineering Management roles. Probably under value my saleability with only ever working for one company.

Wife is in a well paid and secure job but is pregnant.

Not asking 'what would you do' rather hear from those who have done similar.

Best case scenario I get it, and have a contracting job lined up, with a longer term view to getting a perm position again, worst case I can't find another job and eat into my severance is the way I'm looking at it.

Jasandjules

72,574 posts

258 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
When I first started out I was made redundant - with the notice I had I banked my payment (well, that's not true, I bought a new car but you get the point) and started a new job the following Monday.

If you get 16 mths salary, I would certainly take it!

Croutons

13,265 posts

195 months

Friday 16th October 2015
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AWE?

a311

Original Poster:

6,393 posts

206 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
Croutons said:
AWE?
Nope. NNL.

bigunit00

890 posts

176 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
a311 said:
Evening all,

I've worked in the same company all my life ~10 years. It was announced last week that voluntary redundancy was being rolled out to lower the head count. This has happened once before however this time they have stated if they don't get required numbers they will need to move to compulsory.

I enjoy my job but have been becoming disillusioned with the company for a while, generally expecting to give more responsibility to me without any financial reward. I'd have never thought of leaving what has been a secure well paid job with good benefits.

I asked for a quote and it's 16 months salary equivalent with the first 30K tax free.

I'm not really expecting my application to be accepted if I do but you never know. I'm going to phone up a few recruitment agencies next week to test the water.

I'm a chartered engineer with 10 years experience (nuclear) could do Project/Engineering Management roles. Probably under value my saleability with only ever working for one company.

Wife is in a well paid and secure job but is pregnant.

Not asking 'what would you do' rather hear from those who have done similar.

Best case scenario I get it, and have a contracting job lined up, with a longer term view to getting a perm position again, worst case I can't find another job and eat into my severance is the way I'm looking at it.
You say your disillusioned. I think ultimately they will continue to take the p unless you do something about it. I would take the cash and move on

Marlin45

1,334 posts

193 months

Friday 16th October 2015
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Is the £30k still tax free if you take up employment within 6 months?

0a

24,133 posts

223 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
"I enjoy my job but have been becoming disillusioned with the company for a while, generally expecting to give more responsibility to me without any financial reward."

Given the above I would bite their hand off unless you are earning vastly more than you could earn elsewhere.

I know several people that now think voluntary redundancy was the best thing that ever happened to them!

williaa68

1,540 posts

195 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
Marlin45 said:
Is the £30k still tax free if you take up employment within 6 months?
yes i believe so. It just has to be compensation on loss of office and not payment in lieu of notice.

a311

Original Poster:

6,393 posts

206 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies. This being my only real job I think it's fear of the unknown. I'm definitely talking myself into it, my own impression of the jobs market in the sector is that it's pretty slow but I know plenty of contractors who've been laid off only to walk into another job the next week.

I'd say salary wise the company has fell behind the competition over the last 4-5 years. I'd be chucking away a final salary pension but believe this would be offset by higher earnings potential elsewhere. Coupled to the fact I don't expect to retire on a final salary pension anyhow with another ~30 years left to go.

Roadster2

31 posts

131 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
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Sounds like a very generous offer, I worked for AMEC and their redundancy terms were much worse than your offer.

You are still young enough to make the most of whatever opportunities lie ahead and nuclear power and services are going to be in demand, along with your skillset.

Good Luck in whatever you decide.

Robertj21a

18,009 posts

134 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
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I'd certainly take the VR. Many years ago, a friend did the same, and never regretted it.

Chicken Chaser

9,051 posts

253 months

Sunday 18th October 2015
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There's a possibility that VR may be on the cards for me within the next year. It's a month for every year. Is that about right?

Countdown

49,265 posts

225 months

Sunday 18th October 2015
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Definitely take the VR. Chances are they'll be back within 24 months but only offering statutory redundancy next time.

edc

9,620 posts

280 months

Sunday 18th October 2015
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Chicken Chaser said:
There's a possibility that VR may be on the cards for me within the next year. It's a month for every year. Is that about right?
You would be lucky if that was the calculation basis. Statutory redundancy is worked on a matrix and easy to google. Anything more than that is either contractual or at the company's discretion.

davepoth

29,395 posts

228 months

Sunday 18th October 2015
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The statutory bit is:


half a week’s pay for each full year you were under 22
one week’s pay for each full year you were 22 or older, but under 41
one and half week’s pay for each full year you were 41 or older

Length of service is capped at 20 years and weekly pay is capped at £475. The maximum amount of statutory redundancy pay is £14,250.

So to the OP, it's a very good deal indeed - something near seven weeks for every year worked. If I were you I'd take it, and then see whether you can get something close to home so you can make the most of your new baby.

hidetheelephants

35,712 posts

222 months

Monday 19th October 2015
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I'd have thought with £2bn to spend there will be permanent or contract positions available somewhere.

cat with a hat

1,488 posts

147 months

Monday 19th October 2015
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I would take the money and run! But yes, it's worth getting a feel for the job market.

a311

Original Poster:

6,393 posts

206 months

Tuesday 20th October 2015
quotequote all
hidetheelephants said:
I'd have thought with £2bn to spend there will be permanent or contract positions available somewhere.
Think you've missed a few zeros off as the link says 2M. If new build gets off the ground there should be plenty of work around. Going to call a few recruitment agents today and brush up my CV. Will also do a few calcs to see what I would expect after tax and by time they buy my annual leave off me.

I'm still expecting to be declined if I apply, it may make them relise I'm not particualry happy with the current set up anyhow.

hidetheelephants

35,712 posts

222 months

Tuesday 20th October 2015
quotequote all
Not sure where the extra 10^3 appeared from, I must have been reading some other articles when I responded to this thread. 2bn would be a more realistic figure if the UK is to actually lead in technology rather than just follow on and pay to licence tech developed elsewhere.

Edited by hidetheelephants on Tuesday 20th October 14:24

andy-xr

13,204 posts

233 months

Tuesday 20th October 2015
quotequote all
a311 said:
I'm still expecting to be declined if I apply, it may make them relise I'm not particualry happy with the current set up anyhow.
It's usually a time when prejudices are put aside, no-one tends to bear any grudges towards people who apply and are declined, because often the managers, the guys who could be in a position to bear the grudge are also considering their options as well.